PURPOSE

To evaluate the changes in mutans streptococci counts in saliva after short term probiotic intervention and its delayed effects on salivary mutans streptococci count.

METHODS

40 children in the age group of 12-15 years with medium to high caries activity were randomly divided into Group I Control (plain milk group) and Group II Experimental (probiotic supplemented milk group). Duration of the study was 9 weeks; which was evenly divided into three phases: baseline, intervention and post-treatment period; each phase consisting of three weeks. After baseline period of 3 weeks, children in group I were given plain milk and in group II milk containing probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus hct 70 for 3 weeks; followed by a 3 weeks follow up period. After every phase saliva samples were collected to estimate salivary mutans streptococci counts.

RESULTS

The difference in the post follow up mutans streptococci count of group I and group II, was highly significant with p value < 0.001. In the control group, the difference in the mean salivary baseline, post treatment and post follow up mutans streptococci counts was not statistically significant (p > 0.001). In the experimental probiotic group, the difference in mean salivary baseline, post treatment and post follow up mutans streptococci counts was statistically highly significant (p = 0.000, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Statistically significant reduction in salivary mutans streptococci counts immediately after consumption of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus hct 70 containing milk suggest a beneficial effect of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus hct 70 in the prevention of dental caries.